As an aromatherapist and herbalist , I ’m often asked about the relationship between bergamot and bee balm . While they share a common name , these two plants are actually quite different . Let ’s make up the confusion once and for all on whether bergamot is the same as bee balm .
The Fruity Bergamot
When most masses refer to Citrus bergamia , they ’re talking about the citrus fruit that produces bergamot substantive oil Botanically known as Citrus bergamia , this small , rotund yield resembles a quicklime or orange
Grown mostly in Italy , the rind of the bergamot yield is cold - pressed to extract the cheery , sweet - tart essential fossil oil . Bergamot oil features prominently in Earl Grey tea and is value in aromatherapy for its pick up scent . Due to the front of bergaptenes it can cause photosensitivity if apply before Sunday photograph .
Bee Balm, the Flowering Herb
Bee balm is the common name used for flowering recurrent herbs in the Monarda genus , admit Monarda didyma and Monarda fistulosa . This plant is native to North America and know for its scarlet , pinkish , royal , or white-hot petals that attract bee .
With its minty aroma , bee balm is often used to make herbal tea . Native Americans used it to treat cough and digestive yield . The edible leaves add flavor to salad and meat looker . Though bee balm has therapeutic benefits , it does not produce an essential oil .
So bee balm refers to the floral , minty herbaceous plant rather than a fruit or crude .
How Did Bee Balm Get the Bergamot Name?
Bee balm is said to have a scent reminiscent of the bergamot yield . When European settler came across the herb growing in the Americas , they nicknamed it “ Citrus bergamia ” due to the similar citrusy aroma .
Over clip , the common name bergamot became interchangeably used for both the North American herb and the Italian citrus yield . This has created ample confusedness ever since !
Key Differences Between Bergamot and Bee Balm
While their odour may overlap , Citrus bergamia and bee balm alter wide when it comes to flora , chemical makeup , and uses :
plant life kinsfolk : Bergamot is a citrus in the Rutaceae family . Bee balm is a mint in the Lamiaceae phratry .
part used : Bergamot oil color is extracted from the rind of the fruit . Bee balm uses the leaves and blossoming tops .
Active compounds : Citrus bergamia control monoterpenes like limonene and linalyl ethanoate . Bee balm has aromatics like thymol .
yield : Bergamot yields an essential oil . Bee balm gives an herbal infusion but no true substantive oil .
Benefits : bergamot orange fossil oil welfare cutis and lift mood . Bee balm serve as an home remedy for coughs , sickness , and more .
forethought : Bergamot oil is phototoxic . Bee balm tea has no known side effects .
Sourcing the Right Bergamot or Bee Balm
When seeking out either bergamot or bee balm , it ’s of import to look for the proper botanical name to get the lawful herb or oil .
For bergamot indispensable petroleum , attend forCitrus bergamiaas the botanical reservoir . This will secure you get the dependable bergamot orange fruit oil .
For bee balm herb , seek forMonarda didymaorMonarda fistulosa . leverage from a reputable supplier who verifies their bee balm identity .
trust on common names alone can lead to debasement or commutation with the incorrect mintage . Check botanical names to guarantee you purchase unadulterated bergamot or bee balm .
Time to Stop the Confusion
While their scents and names may intertwine , bergamot and bee balm are entirely freestanding plants used in trenchant ways . So let ’s retire the myth that bergamot and bee balm are one and the same .
Now that you love the key differences between the fruity oil and floral herbaceous plant , you may distinctly communicate whether you seek bergamot orange or bee balm for your aromatherapy or herbal apothecary . No more confusion – just felicitous , level-headed plants in their proper place .
How to Grow Wild Bergamot (a.k.a Bee balm) – Complete Growing Guide
FAQ
Are bee balm and bergamot the same affair ?
Does bee balm have another name ?
Does bee balm smell like bergamot orange ?
What is the common name for bergamot orange ?
Is bee balm a bergamot ?
Bee salve belongs to the Lamiaceae plant family and shares more characteristics in common with its fellow works family members – such as peppermint candy , lavender , and sage – than that of its fruity namesake bergamot . Bee balm is a herb native to the woodlands and fields of North America .
Does Citrus bergamia draw in bee ?
Bergamot the herb is known botanically as Monarda didyma or Monarda fistulosa and it is a member of the Lamiaceae plant family . You may love it better by the rough-cut English name of bee balm because of its tendency to attract bees .
What does bergamot orange fruit looking like ?
Bergamot fruit resembles a modest orange tree in appearing , except for the color . The herb bergamot orange is known by the botanic name of Monarda didyma or Monarda fistulosa , depending on the exact coinage . It is commonly referred to by its English name of bergamot orange or bee balm ( because of its propensity to pull bees ) .
What is a bee balm ?
Bee balm , also hump as Monarda , is a genus of flowering plants that belong to the mint family . The scientific name for bee balm is Monarda didyma , derived from the Latin name for the plant . Bee balm is native to North America , although it is now develop in other parts of the world .
Is bergamot a mint ?
Bergamot the mint has the botanic name of Mentha aquatica L. var . citrata . It too belongs to the Lamiaceae plant life category . Its alternate English name include eau - Diamond State - cologne mint , lemon spate , and orange mint , weave together its similarity with both the bergamot orange fruit and its Lamiaceae herbal family member .
Is bergamot a common name ?
Many plants have exchangeable or similar common English name ; one such example is bergamot . Here is a quick look at the departure between bergamot ( the yield ) and bergamot orange ( the herb ) . To learn about other types of bergamot orange , take a look at this clause , too .
